The premiere of Owambe Thieves on Sunday night wasn’t just about glitz, glamour, and red carpet moments, it turned into a heated scene between Nollywood actresses Eniola Badmus and Laide Bakare.
A video making the rounds online shows the unexpected confrontation. While Eniola was seen dancing and engaging with cameras, her bodyguard nearby, Laide Bakare suddenly entered the frame dancing as well. That’s when things took a turn.
Badmus appeared visibly uncomfortable and told the videographers, “Don’t capture. Stop,” before adding in Yoruba, “We are not friends.” That comment instantly sparked a reaction from Bakare, who stopped dancing and snapped back, asking, “Are you insane?” in Yoruba.
The situation escalated quickly. As Eniola tried to walk away, Bakare followed her, slapping her arm a few times in anger. When Eniola’s bodyguard stepped in to de-escalate, Laide didn’t back down and even lashed out at him.
Clips of the incident have gone viral, triggering a wave of reactions from Nigerians on social media.
One Instagram user commented, “Laide did too much. Someone said you guys aren’t friends, you lock up and look away. Why act like a tout? I love Eniola’s composure.”
Another questioned, “Did she just almost slap Eniola’s security detail?”
Many criticized Bakare’s approach, saying her reaction was uncalled for. “You don’t put your hands on another person, that’s wrong,” one user wrote.
Meanwhile, Eniola has been widely praised for her calmness. A fan wrote, “I love how @eniola_badmus handled the situation, very demure, very mindful! All she said was ‘we are not friends’ and you nearly tore her clothes. You even slapped her bouncer. The celebrities sef.”
Shortly after the incident, Laide Bakare went Live on Instagram to share her side of the story, claiming their relationship has been rocky for years. She also revealed she was the one who gave Eniola her first major movie role, an act she felt deserved more respect.
With the drama still fresh, fans are watching closely to see what happens next between these two stars.
